Right to Peaceful Death

Source-This post on Right to peaceful death has been created based on the article “A dignified peaceful passing is everyone’s right” published in “The Hindu” on 7 May.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2– Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.

Context-The article draws the comparison in end-of-life care practices in India and Western countries. It highlights the need to have a rational system in place that can allow everyone to live with some dignity during the last few days and to allow them to go in peace. Right to Peaceful Death

How do end-of-life care practices differ between Western countries and India?

In Western countries, more individuals are documenting advanced medical directives, expressing their preferences for end-of-life care. Terminally ill patients are often allowed to die naturally by removing life support if the chance of recovery to a reasonable quality of life is low.

Whereas in India, about 70% of patients with incurable critical illnesses end up dying while hooked up to machines in ICUs. In most situations, there is no family member around the patients and families have to deal with big hospital bills.

Read more- Living wills –A dignified way to death

What are some reasons behind the continuation of such practices in India?

1) Misconception in Healthcare– There is a mistaken belief among some healthcare providers that they must prolong life at all costs, even when treatment is futile.

2) Routinization of ICU Deaths- Earlier, ICUs were mainly for people who could be saved. Now, ICU deaths have been accepted by society as normal.

3) Lack of Legal Clarity- There’s a lack of legal clarity regarding end-of-life care in India. The absence of a specific law leaves room for confusion and complicates decision-making processes for both healthcare professionals and families.

4) Nuclearization of Families-Due to rising nuclearization of families and absence of old people, average person is no longer familiar to the death, called death illiteracy. As a result, families struggle to accept the death as something natural.

5) Misleading Terminology– The term “passive euthanasia” is misleading and makes things more confusing. According to the ICMR document, it’s a wrong name. Euthanasia means deliberately ending a life, so it can’t be passive. When life support is stopped because treatment won’t help, it’s not killing; it allows natural death.

What steps can individuals take to ensure their preferences for end-of-life care are respected?

1) Individuals should prepare a living will that outlines their desires for medical treatment in case they become incapacitated.

2) Living will should be witnessed and countersigned by a gazetted officer.

3) The concerned individual should discuss these wishes with immediate family members to ensure that they are respected.

Question for practice

How do end-of-life care practices differ between Western countries and India? Highlight the reason behind the continuation of such practices in India?